The New Deal created jobs for millions of Georgians during the Great Depression. The Works Progress Administration (WPA) employed over 100,000 Georgians on projects such as road construction, building bridges, and improving public facilities. The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) employed over 50,000 Georgians on projects such as planting trees, building dams, and fighting wildfires.
Economic Relief
The New Deal provided economic relief to millions of Georgians. The Social Security Act of 1935 provided monthly payments to retired workers, disabled workers, and survivors of deceased workers. The Agricultural Adjustment Act (AAA) provided subsidies to farmers to help them increase their incomes. The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) provided electricity and flood control to rural Georgia.
Political Change
The New Deal helped to bring about political change in Georgia. The Democratic Party, which had been in power in Georgia since the Civil War, was strengthened by the New Deal's popular policies. The Republican Party, which had been a minor party in Georgia, began to gain strength in the 1930s.
Cultural Change
The New Deal also had a cultural impact on Georgia. The WPA funded art projects that produced murals, sculptures, and other works of art that can still be seen today. The CCC established camps where young men from all over the country worked together on projects that benefited the environment and the community. The TVA brought electricity to rural Georgia, which changed the way people lived and worked.
Legacy
The New Deal had a lasting impact on Georgia. The programs that were created during the New Deal helped to lift Georgia out of the Great Depression and to lay the foundation for the state's economic growth in the 20th century. The New Deal also helped to change the political and cultural landscape of Georgia.